SUMMER MAINTENANCE
Check the detailed specifications of any warranties held. Most stipulate, as a minimum; annual inspections, prompt repairs if defects are found, that debris is removed on a regular basis, any coatings are periodically maintained – and that good records of this are kept. Not having evidence the roof has been well maintained, means making claims against a warranty becomes almost impossible.
“Many warranties actually
commit owners to carry out regular inspections and
maintenance to their roofs.”
Put a preventive and routine maintenance programme in place. As well as meeting the obligations within warranties, preventative maintenance means owners can address problems before they escalate in severity and cost. Being proactive with this can actually unlock the roof’s full value. Studies have shown that carrying out planned repairs, as opposed to emergency repairs, doubles the expected life of the roof and halves maintenance costs over its lifetime.
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Ensure ease of access to encourage regular maintenance. Installing permanent height safety and safe access equipment is a good way to do this, as they allow in-house maintenance personnel to carry out inspections. Fixed access ladders and rooftop guardrails minimise the need for temporary access systems like scaffolding, and the use of specialist contractors – both of which require more involved planning, longer lead times and greater cost. So it makes sense to consider permanent safe access provision as part of the design brief for a new building or extension, or when refurbishments of older buildings are being scoped.
There’s another very good reason for building managers to properly plan for rooftop maintenance and access; safeguarding the employees, site visitors and contractors working at height on their sites. Figures from the Health & Safety Executive show that, in 2016/2017, there were over 43,000 falls from height in the UK, resulting in 5,186 major injuries – 25 of these were fatal.
So, for building owners and managers looking to protect their workers, preserve warranties, and prolong the life of their roof, they should take a well-planned approach that works over the long term.
www.fixfast.com TOMORROW’S FM | 35
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